John Rutherford

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the accomplishments and the retirement of Major General Michael A. Calhoun, who has faithfully served America for over 40 years in numerous capacities, but most recently as Florida's Adjutant General for the last 4 years. General Calhoun began his service as a private in 1977, and then he secured his commission in the Medical Service Corps. Throughout his distinguished career, he has served at every level of command in the State and was deployed overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning the respect and confidence of all under his command. During his time as Adjutant General, he responded to five named storms that impacted the State of Florida, one of which resulted in the largest mobilization of Florida guardsmen in the State's history. It was during that time that I had the privilege of personally working extensively with General Calhoun, and I can personally attest to his commitment to excellence and to the people of the State of Florida. Despite the rapid pace of operations over the past 4 years, General Calhoun never lost sight of his mission. Mr. Speaker, I thank him for his selfless leadership and service, and I wish him and his wife, Sophia, the best in their retirement. A grateful State and Nation say thank you.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the compromise appropriations package that includes major wins for our national security and our economic success. In fact, this move tonight will authorize seven different appropriation bills that fund critical agencies and programs within our government. Now, this is not the bill that I would have written, and this is probably not the bill that any of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would have written, but we have all finally found a compromise that Congress can pass and the President has indicated he will sign into law. This is not a loss for the President, but a win for the Department of Homeland Security, and a significant step in the right direction for border security. Democrats called for no wall funding. Today we will approve $1.4 billion for new barriers. Democrats called for pro-abortion policies, but today, we will approve and maintain multiple pro-life protections. Democrats called for less ICE detention beds. Today we will be approving funding for an estimated 45,000 beds and an additional $750 million for 13,000 beds, if needed. We increased ICE funding by $500 million; increased CBP by almost $1 billion; and fund the first Coast Guard icebreaker in over 40 years. This bill strengthens our national security and brings us one step closer to bringing our southern border under operational control. This bill also includes many priorities that are of significant importance to northeast Florida. There is $4 billion in additional funding to help FEMA respond to national disasters like Hurricane Michael and Hurricane Florence. There is $468 million to help local communities combat opioid trafficking, which has ravaged parts of northeast Florida. On the first anniversary of 17 lives murdered in Parkland, Florida, I am proud to vote in support of $100 million in grants authorized under my STOP School Violence Act which was signed into law last year. Since the passage of this bill, the STOP School Violence Act has yielded over $175 million in grants to help protect schools across the United States. I understand this is not a perfect bill before us today, but we cannot afford another shutdown that puts almost 1 million people out of work. We cannot afford another CR that kicks the can down the road, causing uncertainty and increasing the cost of government. Let's end this stalemate, build the wall, and secure our southern border. I congratulate the committee, and I urge my colleagues to support this compromise package and send it to the President.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Indiana for yielding, and I appreciate this opportunity to speak for life. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because there are actually elected leaders in this country, in the United States of America, who believe a baby can be left to die after having been born alive. How is this even a debate in the United States of America? When did murder become a partisan issue? Some on the other side of the aisle call this ``parental choice'' and ``healthcare.'' But, Mr. Speaker, I tell you that infanticide is murder, not healthcare. And abortion is not the answer to a pre-born child's physical or mental disability. But don't just take it from me. Listen to the words of Mr. Frank Stephens, who was actually born with Down syndrome and leads a remarkable life, a life worth living. He had this to say about abortion: ``On abortion, I don't want to make it illegal. I want to make it unthinkable. Politicians change laws. I want to change people's hearts.'' Mr. Speaker, I want to partner with Frank Stephens because I believe that we can do both, making late-term abortion unthinkable, and illegal.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I was unavoidably detained at the time of the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 70; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 72; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 73; ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 74; and ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 75

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal Catholic organization dedicated to charitable action. Some of my colleagues have recently made disparaging comments about the mission of the Knights of Columbus, and I want to be clear: As a member of that proud organization, I am very proud of their humanitarian mission. In 2017 alone, the Knights of Columbus raised $185 million in charitable contributions and contributed 75 million hours of service worldwide. The Knights of Columbus stand firmly for protecting life in all its forms, most especially the unborn. They recently donated their one thousandth ultrasound machine to women's pregnancy centers in the U.S. and around the world. Studies have shown that women who view these ultrasounds of their unborn child are much more likely to carry that child to term. So on today's anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision; let's listen to the words of Carl Anderson, leader of the Knights of Columbus, who said: ``What greater legacy can a person have than to save a child's life?''

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member, Ms. Granger, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I am sad to again rise in opposition to this bill. It is now 27 days into this shutdown and almost 1 million people are out of work, and we are still bringing bills to the floor that have no chance at all of passing. It is well past time for a compromise to be found, but, Mr. Speaker, that requires a reasonable negotiation. Many Members in this Chamber, myself included, have expressed frustration over this political process and the lack of negotiation taking place here in the people's House when President Trump has made it completely clear--in fact, he has offered negotiated positions and compromise, with no response from my good friends across the aisle. The leader, I think, made some great points about our adversaries, our peer adversaries like China and Russia, and why this shutdown is a bad thing, which is why I ask them to come to the table and negotiate. Everything he said, almost everything he said, I would agree with. Those are the reasons we need to come together and reasonably negotiate. And I think at the basis of all that, we should remember what this legislative body is all about, which is security for and service to our hardworking, taxpaying citizens. We are 435 different voices from different walks of life, and we know the perfect agreement is rarely possible.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. However, making compromises and trading ideas would do us a whole lot of good right now, but that requires reasonableness. It is time to come together on behalf of the American people and stop this political bickering that is befalling this conversation. Our country is in desperate need of border security, but we aren't even talking about that now. We are not talking about the humanitarian crisis. Mr. Speaker, we can do better. I ask the Speaker to come to the table, find a compromise, and let's get back to the work of the American people.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 46th annual March for Life. In Congress, I believe I have the responsibility to support life beginning at conception, which is why I voted last Congress to defend life and defund Planned Parenthood. However, I am disheartened this legislative body continues to funnel taxpayer money to the abortion industry. The often repeated talking point that Planned Parenthood exists as a woman's health organization has now been refuted by its very own president. She had this to say about Planned Parenthood: ``Our core mission is providing, protecting, and expanding access to abortion and reproductive healthcare.'' Madam Speaker, I am a proud cosponsor of the Defund Planned Parenthood Act, which reroutes Federal dollars to community health centers, where women can still get the care they need while protecting the sanctity of life. An organization whose core mission has taken the lives of 61 million unborn children should not be receiving taxpayer funds.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the political ultimatum that has now poisoned this bill. I had anticipated originally that I would support Chairwoman Lowey's proposal to provide disaster relief to American families who were struggling to rebuild from these recent disasters, like Hurricane Michael that tore up my State of Florida. However, last night, the majority slipped into this bill another short-term continuing resolution that they know will hold this bill back from ever becoming law. Instead of doing the right thing and passing a clean disaster relief bill, the other side of the aisle continues to play games in an effort to resist the President's call for border security with Mexico. The Senate and the President have made it clear that government funding bills brought to the floor without border security will not be signed into law. It is time to accept the reality of the situation that we find ourselves in. Compromise is the only path forward. But the other side of the aisle seems content to blame the President while punishing victims of natural disasters, including those in the Speaker's own home State of California, who desperately need this relief as they recover from devastating wildfires. Attempting to score political points at the expense of innocent disaster victims is despicable and no way to legislate. This bill before us today could have provided much-needed relief for Florida families recovering from Hurricane Michael. And it is not just families who will suffer; it is also the Florida farmers, and many Americans who rely on them, who had their crops devastated by this storm. It is 26 days into the shutdown, and we are still playing these games. Madam Speaker, if you are serious about providing disaster relief to Americans, bring a clean supplemental funding bill to the floor. Stop playing these games with constituents in the northeast and the Panhandle of Florida.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Chair, I thank the ranking member for yielding. Madam Chair, I rise again today in opposition to the political ultimatum that has poisoned this bill. I had anticipated that I would support Chairwoman Lowey's proposal to provide disaster relief to American families struggling to rebuild from recent disasters like Hurricane Michael that devastated my home State of Florida. I do thank her and her staff for the hard work that they have done in putting together this disaster relief bill. However, in the dark of night, the majority leadership slipped into this bill another continuing resolution that they know will hold this bill back from ever becoming signed into law. Some on the other side have asked why adding a CR would be a poison pill in this measure. The answer is really simple: This bill will never be considered by the Senate or signed by the President. Leadership knows this, but they continue to place politics over helping hardworking, taxpaying American citizens. So what are we here to accomplish? Is the majority trying to help American citizens recover or simply content to blame the President while punishing hardworking taxpayers who have been devastated by natural disasters, including those, by the way, in the Speaker's home State of California? Those folks are desperately in need of this relief as they recover from devastating wildfires. Instead of doing the right thing and passing a clean disaster relief bill, the other side of the aisle continues to play childish games in an effort to resist the President's call for border security. If the goal of this bill is to provide disaster relief, why on Earth would the majority attach something that effectively ensures its defeat? Madam Chair, this move has again effectively victimized those devastated by hurricanes and fire. It is time to accept the reality of the situation in which we find ourselves. Compromise is the only path forward. President Trump has made clear, I believe, that he is ready to negotiate and to compromise. But this bill before us today could have provided much-needed relief to Florida families recovering from Hurricane Michael. It is not just those families who will suffer. It is the Florida farmers who had their crops decimated by the storm, and the Americans who rely on them, who will suffer also. Madam Chair, we are 26 days into this shutdown, and leadership is still playing these games. If the majority is serious about providing disaster relief, bring a clean supplemental funding bill to the floor and stop playing games with so many hurting American lives.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to this bill. Another week has gone by and we find ourselves with another exercise in futility. As I said last week, these CRs are a waste of everyone's time and a waste of countless hours of hard work by members of staff on both sides of the aisle. While we waste floor time and the American citizens' time, there are 800,000 families--and more--that are feeling the negative effects of the gamesmanship on the other side of the aisle. These effects are not limited to government employees. Contractors, small businesses, and the economy at large have been suffering for weeks. Just the other day, in Jacksonville, I spoke with the father of a government subcontractor who explained to me how much this shutdown has hurt his son's livelihood. Now, this idea that once the government is opened back up and government employees are going to receive their backpay, as I am sure most eventually will, there are many across this country who will not. His son is one of them. And just to prove how ridiculous this entire thing is, due to the recalcitrance of Democrats, experts say that this shutdown has already cost our economy more than the President's request for the wall. My colleagues on the other side of aisle want to score political points by denying our duly-elected President a campaign promise, a simple promise to protect the American citizen. Rather than focusing energy on reaching a compromise with the Senate and the President to reopen the government and get Federal workers their paychecks, we are spending time on our bills, bringing bills to the floor that have absolutely no chance of becoming law. Here is my message to the House majority: Stop using working-class Americans as leverage and come to the table to find a compromise on behalf of the American people. I have said it before, and I will say it again: If the Speaker is serious about opening the government and getting people back to work, bring a bill to the floor that the Senate will pass and the President will sign.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this bill. Rather than focusing energy on reaching a compromise with the Senate and the President to reopen the government and get those Federal workers their paychecks, my colleagues across the aisle are spending time bringing bills to the floor that have absolutely no chance of passing and becoming law. The bill is a waste of everyone's time and a waste of countless hours of hard work by Members and staff on both sides of the aisle. Last Congress, my colleagues and I on the Appropriations Committee worked hard for many months in a bipartisan and bicameral way to pass a Transportation and Housing and Urban Development funding bill on time. In fact, Mr. Speaker, we passed that bill in the House in July of last year. Then, in December, when we were looking at a looming shutdown, my colleagues and I in the House passed a funding package that would have kept the government open and provided an additional $5 billion for border security and $9 billion for initial disaster assistance to American citizens in those communities devastated by hurricanes and fires. Instead, here we are, bringing to the floor a bill that ignores the bipartisan work of my House colleagues. This bill today provides less funding for our ports, highways, and air traffic control. It provides less housing for people with disabilities, our veterans, and those living with HIV and AIDS. Also, it doesn't include the oversight and accountability provisions that were added by the House. On top of all that, the President has already said he will not sign the bill into law. As we waste the House's time, and, quite frankly, the people's time, on this bill, 800,000 Federal workers are suffering. All our Nation's transportation systems are becoming less efficient. Many functions of our air, rail, maritime, and highway transportation are being held up by furloughs and understaffing. Those essential personnel who are required to show up, they go unpaid for their work. This is unjust and immoral. Mr. Speaker, I implore the Speaker of the House and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to put aside these partisan tactics and bring to the floor bills we have already worked on through regular order and with bipartisan agreement. It is very simple. If the Speaker is truly serious about opening the government and getting people back to work, bring a bill to the floor that the Senate can pass and the President will sign into law.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are calling the situation at the southern border a manufactured crisis. What a heartless and naive thing to say. Tell that to the families of almost 300 people who die every week from the heroin flooding across our southern border. Tell that to the ICE agents who seized enough synthetic opioids in 2017 to kill every single American by overdose. Or come on down with me to the 2100 block of Jefferson Street in Jacksonville, Florida, and you tell that to the medical examiner who saw, in 2017, the highest rate of fentanyl-related deaths in the entire State of Florida. A manufactured crisis? Hardly, Mr. Speaker. Thankfully, the experts at DHS who are on the ground doing the good work to protect us understand what is necessary to combat this crisis, and they have asked Congress for our help. These DHS professionals have told us that security at the border requires a multilayered approach that includes additional personnel, increased technology, access roads, and, yes, a wall. The wall is not and never has been the beginning and end to border security, but it is an important part of a comprehensive security plan. Let's give the DHS the money for the wall, get out of the way, and let the folks on the ground do their job. Mr. Speaker, I have spent 41 years of my life as a law enforcement officer, including 12 years as sheriff. One thing I know firsthand is the judgment of the patrolman should amplify larger than the back- office bureaucrat. Listen to those in operations. Those who would argue against the pleas of the DHS either haven't seen what is really going on or are intentionally ignoring the crisis. For my friends on the other side of the aisle who are calling this a manufactured crisis, they know this isn't about the $5 billion for the wall. In fact, most of them at one time or another have already voted to fund a wall. To them, it is really about not wanting to support our President. It is about being part of a resistance movement. If you want to talk about a manufactured crisis, I can point you in the right direction, because it is manufactured in Central America, it is manufactured in South America, and it is being manufactured by drug cartels to be trafficked north and smuggled across the southern border and into our communities. I have seen firsthand the lives destroyed and the communities torn apart by this scourge coming through our porous southern border. This bickering over one-tenth of 1 percent of our annual budget has become a hyperbolic political football, putting lives at risk. I say, enough, Mr. Speaker. Our Federal law enforcement officers on the ground at the border have asked for our help, and we have a solemn obligation to give them what they need to keep Americans safe. A manufactured crisis? Hardly, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I was held up by Committee business. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 449 and ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 456.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Raines High School football team for winning the Florida 4A State championship and, also, the Mandarin High School football team for winning the Florida 8A State championship. Raines High School now has won two straight State titles, while Mandarin just captured their first State football championship ever. This marks the first time in history that two public schools from Duval County, Florida, have won the State championship in the same season. Football is a big part of Florida culture. Many kids grow up with dreams of winning the championship under those Friday night lights, and these student athletes have demonstrated the commitment and work ethic to be successful both on the field and in the classroom. I congratulate them for bringing home some hardware to northeast Florida where it belongs, and I look forward to more championships to come. Congratulations once again to Mandarin and Raines football on a victory these players will remember for the rest of their lives.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Jennifer Albert from Fernandina Beach, Florida, for winning the Milken Educator Award. This award recognizes innovative teachers, principals, and education specialists around the country who have made exceptional contributions to their profession. Ms. Albert teaches science and math to fifth graders at Emma Love Hardee Elementary School in Nassau County, and was the only teacher in the State of Florida chosen for this prestigious award. Our educators are tasked with the awesome responsibility of teaching the next generation of Americans, and Ms. Albert has inspired all of us with her creativity and commitment to student achievement. Her use of small groups, project-based learning, and games even, has elevated her class to 81 percent proficiency in science, and 79 percent proficiency in math. These are impressive numbers to speak to the success of her positive and innovative techniques. On behalf of the Fourth District of Florida and the students and parents of Emma Love Hardee Elementary School, I want to thank Ms. Albert for her lifelong dedication to excellence in the classroom, and congratulations on receiving the recognition she so well deserves.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Ms. Carrie Johnson, a Lincolnville icon who, sadly, passed away earlier this week in St. Augustine, Florida. Depending on whom you talked to, Ms. Johnson had many different names. To some, she was ``St. Augustine's Sweetheart'' or the ``Voice of Lincolnville.'' To others, she was simply ``Miss Carrie.'' But to all of us, she will always be remembered as an irreplaceable piece of our northeast Florida community who truly lived to serve others. Born out of her life's creed, ``A mission of love, a message of hope,'' she began a foundation for homeless students in St. Johns County. She organized annual Christmas caroling to nursing homes, and she was even considered an honorary officer by the local police, who loved her and who often came to her for guidance. She could be seen on any given day riding her ``Lamborghini'' tricycle around town, spreading kindness and hope to everyone she met. Her passing will leave a hole that can only be filled with the countless stories of the people whom she touched. I am thankful for her dedication to making the world a better place for those around her and grateful that her memory lives on forever. She was a mission of love and a message of hope.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and sacrifice of Corporal William Eierman, a member of the Jacksonville Beach Police Department. Cpl. Eierman is being honored today with the Medal of Valor and Law Enforcement Purple Heart. On August 8, 2018, after hearing of gunshots, Cpl. Eierman ran toward a scene where a suspect had shot a marked patrol car and was fleeing from officers. While pursuing the suspect, Cpl. Eierman engaged with him and was shot twice. Thanks to Cpl. Eierman's heroism, no one else was hurt and the individual was brought to justice. Officer Eierman is a dedicated father and husband who has served the Jacksonville Beach community for 16 years as a member of Jacksonville Beach Police Department after previously working as a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office corrections officer. In addition to being a family man, Cpl. Eierman is active in his church and always looking for ways to give back to the community he serves. On behalf of a grateful community, I want to thank Cpl. William Eierman for the courage he displayed on that day, and every day. We thank you for your service and wish you a speedy recovery.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Brian Kelly from Jacksonville, Florida, who has been named a 2018 Angels in Adoption honoree. This Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute award recognizes and honors outstanding individuals who have made contributions to the adoption community. For more than 25 years, Brian Kelly has worked as an adoption attorney. Through his work at his law firm and at Jacksonville Legal Aid, Brian has touched, literally, thousands of lives promoting adoption in northeast Florida. He has also worked with the Florida bar to encourage the practice of adoption laws across the State. In addition to his professional work, Brian has devoted his life to serving his community, whether it be serving his church or chairing the board of directors at Angelwood, a center in Jacksonville that provides services to people with developmental disabilities. Brian has dedicated countless hours in service to others. I have had the opportunity to get to know Brian throughout his work, and I am pleased to honor him today on behalf of the many grateful families of northeast Florida. I commend Brian Kelly for this much- deserved honor of being named a 2018 Angels in Adoption honoree.

Mr. RUTHERFORD

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 72) expressing the sense of Congress that child safety is the first priority of custody and visitation adjudications, and that State courts should improve adjudications of custody where family violence is alleged, as amended.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 72, currently under consideration.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased we are voting today on this resolution, which expresses the sense of Congress that child safety should be the top priority of custody and visitation adjudications, and that State courts should improve adjudications of custody where family violence is alleged. Custody adjudications are especially difficult cases, fraught with emotion and complex relationships. States must ensure that the judges presiding over these cases are trained to understand these dynamics and apply appropriate evidentiary standards to parties' evidence. Most importantly, States should ensure that in these disputes, children's safety comes first. We have seen tragedies happen throughout the United States where the courts failed the children involved in custody disputes. Over the past decade, the Center for Judicial Excellence has documented 653 child homicides across the United States by a parent involved in a conflict related to divorce, separation, custody, visitation, or child support. Last year, Ana Estevez's 5-year-old son, Piqui, was murdered by her ex-husband. Despite her efforts to obtain sole custody of Piqui due to her ex-husband's history of abuse, her plea was rejected. Her estranged husband picked up Piqui, as part of their joint custody arrangement, and took him to Disneyland. That was the last time Ms. Estevez saw her son. His body was found 2 months later, and her estranged husband eventually confessed to the murder, a tragedy that should never have happened. Today, we take a step in expressing to States that they must pay special attention to these cases. We hope States will heed this resolution and resolve to evaluate their family court systems and implement measures to put child safety first. I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions) for bringing this resolution before us. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Sessions).

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time to close.

Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Speaker, I first want to thank the gentlewoman for her comments and for her hard work on this resolution. I also want to thank Chairman Sessions for bringing this forward today. I want to encourage all of my colleagues here to vote in the affirmative for H. Con. Res. 72. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time